Electric switch



Dec. 2, 1930. G. J. MEUER 1,783,565

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 16. 1928 INVENTOR BY fimgc M A TTORNEYPatented n... 2, 193;)

UN ED STATES, PATENT OFFICE GEORGE J. manna, or MILWAUKEE, Wiscons n,assrenoa, IBY'MESNE Assmnnnnrs, TO cum-mammalian, inc, .A, oonrona'nonor DELAWARE Anotherobject is to provide a to atedfsnap switch composedof anaem c swrrcn Application filed November 16, 1928. Serialfillo.319,843.

This invention relates toimprovements in I electric switches, and theinvention relates more} particularly to improvements in electric snapswitches of the toggle type.

An object of the invention is to improve and simplify the'constructionand operation of switches of the aforementioned character.

gle oper- 1 inimum ily and number of parts which may be re quicklyassembled.

Another ob ect is to provide -a toggle operated snap switch utilizing anextremely shallow base or housing, to adapt the same particularly formountin in shallow canopies or on panels necessitatlng the use ofswitches wiring.

of-minimum depth and size.

f Another object is.to provide such a switch having a novel form ofcooperating. stationary and movable contacts adapted to insure propercontrol of an electric circuit.

Another object is to provide an insulating base formed tointerchangeably receive different types of stationary'contacts'. toprovide sw tches adapted to diflerent formsof Another object is theaforementioned character having novel tional View of a toggleitype ofsnap switch constructed in accordance with my invention.

operating means including a. rotatable shaft extending at-right anglesto the plane of movement of the toggle mechanism.

,Other objects and-advantagesof the invention will hereinafter appear.n,

The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments of theinvention which will now be described, it being understood that.

the embodiments. illustrated are susceptible of modification withinthescope of the ap'-. pended claims. 1 I

In-the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sec- Fig. 2is' a verticalsectional view't'aken at right angles to-the sectional view of Fig. 1,and showing a modified form of bushing and a relatively longer actuatingtoggle 1ever..

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the molded insulating base, with one formof stationary contacts positioned therein; a 6/ to provide a switch of.

base, as best illustrated'in Figs. 1 and 7.

Fig. is a like view of the base with an- Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionalview of a snap switch having the operating handle thereof extendingatright angles to the plane of movement of the toggle mechanism.

. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a topview of one of the stationary contacts shown in Fig.3,prior to insertion thereof into the base recess, and

9 is an end view o f the contact shownin Fig. 8.

Referring to designates the-switch base, which is preferably of moldedinsulating material: Said base is preferably of substantiallyrectangular shape with rounded corners, as best illus-' tratedin Figs. 3and 4, and thebottom sur-- face .16 thereof is preferably curved.-longitudinalliy and laterally to merge into the vertlcal si 'eand endwails 17 and 18; respectively. Said base is provided with a flat uppersurface 19 and is recessed from said surface along opposite sides, asindicated generally at 20 and 21. Said recesses, 20 and 21,

as shown, are of elongated rectangular contour, and the outer walls 22and 23 of said recesses are respectively provided with abutmentsonprbjections 24 and 25. Said recesses relatively s allower ledges 26and 27, asbest illustrated n 'Fig. 4.

Extending outwardl'ythrough said end of the base and in the same planewith said ledges 26 and 27 are relatively narrow chanthe drawings, thenumeral 15 are also provided at one end of base 15-with nels 28 and 29;.and above but converging with said channels 28 and.29 are relativelywider channels 30 and 31. v

Intersecting the adjacent or inner Walls of the respective recesses 20and 21 is a rel tively shorter and deeper intermediate recess 32, thebottom wall .33 of said intermediate recess being curved longitudinallyof the The relative shortness of the recess 32 and the curved end walls34 and 35 thereof cooperate with the adjacent side walls of the recesses20-and 21 to form pairs of abutments 36 and 37.

As shown in Fig. 3, the recesses 20 and 21 are adapted to receiveidentical combined contact and terminal members 38, said members, asbest shown in Figs. 8 and 9, pre erably comprising a single strip ofconducting material of uniform width throughout its length.

One end of each flexed or bent, as indicated at 39, to provide aresilient contact porti 40 substantially parallel with the main bo y ofsaid member. The other end 41 of said member 39 is bent at substantiallyright angles to the main body of the latter, and said right angularlybent portion is provided with a wire receiving slot 42 preferably havinga slightly flared open end 43.

Adjacent to the bent portion 41 the main body of member 38 isprovided'with a wire receiving perforation, indicated in dotted lines at44 in Fig. 8. Also the main body of member 38 is slightly bowed orangularly bent as indicated at 45 in said Fig. 8, so that said membersare required to be sprung or slightly tensioned incident to insertionthereof within their respective recesses. That is to say, the bowedportions 45 will be sub stantially straightened out through engagementthereof with the abutments or proje tions 24 or 25, thereby biasing thereflexed contact portions 40 and the end portions 41 into engagementwith the q'espective pairs of abutments 36 and 37.

Moreover, it will be apparent from Figs. 3, 4 and 5 that the main bodyof each of the members 38 at the left hand side. of the abu -ments 24and 25 is provided with clearance,

whereby the resiliency of the contact portions 40, under. the impact ofthe movable contact, is increased.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8 the bared ends 46 of suitable lengths ofterminal wires 47 are permanently secured to members 38 prior toinsertion of the latter within the base recesses. In attaching the wireend 46 the latter is inserted through the perforation 44 to project ashort distance beyond the outer side ofnthe member 38, and the wire isthen of said members 38 is re that clearance is provided for the wireends 48 between the members 38' and the respective outer walls of therecesses 20 and 21. The wires 47 extend outwardly through one end ofbase 15, being accommodated by the grooves or channels 30 and 31aforementioned. I

The combined contact andterminal member 38 shown in the other figures issubstantlally like that aforedescribed, except that it isPI'OVlClGd'Wlth a relatively short right angled bend, and extendingoutwardly from the latter and seated within the channel 28 or 29 1s aportion 50 having a perforation '51 through which the bared end of aWire may be inserted and then looped orv twisted preparatory to thesoldering operation. The insulating base 15 is-preferably provided atopposite ends with'grooves or channels 52 and 53 which undercut the topsurface of the base, as indicated'at 52 and 53 respectively.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the base 15 may be provided with an insulatingcover plate 54 which is substantially co-extensive with the top surfaceof said base, said plate having notches 52 and 53 in alinement with thegrooves 52 and 53, and having a relatively large substantiall circularperforation 55 for in Fig. 5, or otherwise formed to provide arelatively tight fit thereof within the grooves 52; 53.

With the cover plate 06 thus secured to the base 15, the insulatingplate is held in clamping engagement with the top edges of the pairs ofmembers 38 or 38, the lower edges of said members resting uponthe-ledges 26 and 27 (Fig. 3) or upon-said ledges and the bottomsurfaces of channels 28 and 29 in the other figures. That is to say themain body portions and contact portions 40 of members 38 are normallyheld out of engagement with the bottom surfaces of'the recesses 20 and21, thus rendering said portions free to flex under the action of thebridging contactor, as hereinafter described. Moreover, theaforedescribed clamping action insures definite positioning of themembers 38 or 38 within their respective recesses- The metallic coverplate 56 is provided with a bulged or raised portion 59 having aperforation 60 adapted to receive thereducedlower end of a bushing 61which is threaded exteriorly as indicated at 62, said reduced lower endbeing upset or tightly overlapped against the portion 59 as indicated at63 to secure'said parts agginst separation or relative rotation.

The upperportion of bushing 61 is provided with a relatively small bore,64 within which a toggle actuating lever 65 is pivoted, as by means ofthe pivot pin- 66,- one end 67 of which is slightly upset so as to havea drive fit within one of the registering perforations 68 in the bushing(see Fig. 2).

The lower portion of bushing 61 is provided with a relatively largerbore 69, said bores 64 and69 being joined by the frusto-conicalorangular shoulder portion 79. Said lower portion of bushing 61is'provided, above the raised portion 59 0'1? plate 56 and parallel withthe perforations 68 with a' pair of diametrically opposed perforations71, which serve as' 73 is perforated to receive the shank 75 of a asuitable rivet,'the head 76 of said rivet being bearings for theoutwardly extending ends 72 of a U-shaped contact carrier or yoke 73.The integral cross piece 7 4 of said carrier adapted to form an abutmentfor one end of a coiled compression spring 77, the other endof saidspring having seated therein a cupped member 78, preferably of metal,which forms a bearing for the spherical or rounded lower end 7 9- ofactuating iever 65. The other end of lever 65 "maycomprise a sphericalknob 80 or a similar enlargement to facilitate mam vual operation of theswitch.

Strung upon the shank 75 of the aforementioned rivet are threeinsulating disks 81, 82

' and 83, and surrounding the disk 82 and interposed between the disks81 and '83 is a metallic disk 84, which is adapted in one extreme posijtion of the carrier to bridge the resilient 0011- tact portions 40aforedescribed, and in the other extreme position of said carrier todisengage said contactportions.

As bestshown in Figshl and 7 the end of the shank of the rivet is upsetagainst the lower insulating disk 83 to secure all of said:

insulating disks together and to the carrier 73. However, the rivetingoperation is preferably such as to provide relative freedom of Irotation of the contactor disk 84 with respect to said carrier. Aninsulating bearing providing for such relatively free rotation of thecontactor 84 may similarly be insured by forming the intermediateinsulating disk 82 from material of slightly greater thickness than thecontactor 84, so that after the usual riveting operation the insulatingdisks 81 and 83 will still be held out of clamping engagement with saidcontactor.

Movement of the lever 65 to opposite extreme positions is preferablylimited by engagement thereof with opposite sides of the upper edge ofbore 64 in bushing 61, whereas extreme movement of contactor 84 ispreferably limitedby engagement thereof with the curved side walls 34and 35 at opposite "tions or i bearings.

ends of the intermediate recess 32; Ordinar ily, however, the resistanceoffered by resilient contacts 40 will prevent movement of c'gntactor 84into engagement with said Wall 3 l r 1 In practice the operation ofupsetting the 1 I reduced lower end of bushing 61 comprises spreadingof'the latter at a plurality of points in a well known manner, and asbest illustrated at 85 in Fig. 2 the arrangement is such that two ofthese points are in vertical alinement with the perforations 71 in saidbush ing, thereby providing inclined entrance slots which facilitateforcible insertion of the ends 72 of the carrier 73 into saidperforation of the carrier 73 withinthe bushing involves slightflexure'of ,the arms of the form'er, and asshown said arms are taperedtopivot ends 72 thereof to facilitate ward the such flexing.

The switch illustrated in Fig. 1 is adapted This assembling operaforlone-hole mounting in a suitably perforated canopy, panel, or the like,and one or more of the usual adjustable clamping nuts 86, 87 areprovided, said nuts being threaded to cooperatewith the thread 62 onbushing 61.

The device shown in Fig. 2involves the use of a "relatively longerbushing 61*, with a correspondingly greater distance between the pivotperforations 68 and 71, and with consequent greater length of lever 65on each side 'of its pivot. Also, as shown in Fig.2, a

washer -88 may be provided for insuring proper clamping engagement ofthe securing means with respect to the perforated panelor other support.

1In 'Fig. 5 a still longer bushing 61 is emp oyed, with correspondingdifferences in the length'of lever 65 on opposite sides of its pivot,and in the distance between the pivot perforations 68, 71 in saidbushing.

It will be noted that in each of Figs. 1, 2

I and 5 all parts of the switch arealike, except designated'by likecharacters of reference.

loo

In this instance, however, it is desired to provide for operation of theswitch by means arranged at suhstantially right angles to the a plane ofmovement of the toggle mechanism.

- Thus I have provided a top-plate 56 having a relatively highdome-shaped projection or bulge 89, the opposed substantially flat sides90 and 91 of which are provided with alined perforations 92 formingpivot bearings for the ends 7 2 of the contact carrier.

' I Said projection 89 is provided on one side thereof with aperforation 93, which is adapted to receive the reduced end of a bushingcomprising an externally threaded outer end portion 94 and a squaredportion 95, said reduced endbeing upset, as indicated at 96 to securethe bushing andprojection to each other.

The bushing is provided with a cylindrical bore 97 of equal diameterthroughout its length, said bore forming a bearing for a shaft 98, oneend of which extends within the projection 89, and the other end ofwhich extends outwardly beyond said bushing. Said outer end ispreferably enlarged, as .indicated at 99', and a recessed knob orhandle, shown in dotted lines at 100 is adapted to fit thereon, a

set screw 101 or the like being employed to sea cure said shaft and knobagalnst relative movement.

Shaft 98 is diametrically perforzited adj acent to the inner endthereof, as shown at 102, to receive with a sliding fit the reducedportion or shank 103 of the tog le actuating lever, a shoulder 104 beingprovided for limiting the upward movement of the shank 103. with respectto shaft 98. The degree of oscillation or are of travel of the upper endof said shank 103' is limited by engagement thereof with the oppositeends 105 and 106 of a slot 107 in the upper curved surface of saidprojection 89; engagement of said shank with the side walls of said slotalso acting to hold shaft 98 against substantial longitudinal movementwithin the bore or bearing 97.

The slot 107 is preferably formed by slitting thetop surface 108 ofprojection 89 to provide the cut metal edges or stops 105, .106

'aforedescribed, and then pressing outwardly the area-between saidslits, as shown in Figs.

' 6 and 7. Obviously, however, the slot 107 may be formed by entirelypunching out the area bounded thereby, but by the arrangementillustrated the neat and finished appearance'of the switch is retained.

' The switch last described is likewise adapted for one-hole mountingupon an insulating panel or other suitable perforated support, a nut 109being provided fordraw number of grippin teelh, the sides in eachinstance being preferably'tangential-to the periphery of end portion 94of the bushing.

It will be a parent to those skilled in the art that the ushings shownin Figs. 1, 2 and 5 may likewise be provided with squared or polygonalportions corresponding with that illustrated in Fig. 6, and illustrationof such specific modification of the bushings of said t1 ures is deemedunnecessary. Obviously l'iy providing the aforedescribed toothformations the switch body or casing is positively held against anytendency to revolve or move into misalinement' during final tighteningofthe clamping nut on the bush-i ing. This feature is particularlydesirable in an arrangement'such as shown in Fig. 6 wherein suitable Onand Ofli indicia are preferabl provided 'on the operating knob 100 and te supporting panel.

What 'I claim as new and ddsire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric switch, in-combination, an insulating base having arecess in one face thereof, a combined stationary contact and terminalmember, said member comprising a reflexed metallic-strip of equal widththroughout its length, the terminal end of said member being seated edewise upon a ledge within said recess and aving its up per edgesubstantially flush with said face .of the base, a metallic cover membersecured to said base, an insulating plate inter- .posed between saidcover member and said base, an oscillatable and freely rotatablecontactor carried by said cover member, and means also carried by saidcover member for effecting snap movement of said contactor into and outof engagement with said stationary contact.

2. In asna switch f'the to le type, in combination, molded insulati gbase having parallel recesses arranged on opposite longitudinal sides ofone'face thereof and. a relatively wider recess between said firstmentioned recesses and opening thereinto, a pair of one-piece contactand t'erminal'mem-' bers snugly fitting within said first mentionedrecesses, a metallic member covering the recessed face of said base, asheet of insulating material, interposed between said cover member andsaidbase, a contact carrying resilient metallic yoke having integrallateral projections adapted to be forcibly inserted into correspondingopenings in said cover member for ivotal support of the former, anoscillata is operating member, and a coiled spring interposed betweensaid operating member and said yoke to cause.

snap movement of the latter from each extreme position to the other uponcorresponding movement of said operating member.

3. In a. toggle snap switch, in combination, a recessed insulating base,a pair of spaced parallel contacts located within said recess and havintheir upper edg portions substantiallyush with the upper surface of saidbase, a cover plate overlying said base and adapted to retain saidcontacts within said recess, a hollow metallic bushing secured to 1 saidcover plate, two vertically spaced pairs of alined-openings insaid-bushing, a substantially U-shaped carrier the'arms of which aresaid toggle lever.

provided with integral outward projections adapted to be forced into thelower pair of openings, a bridging contactor riveted to the;

lower end of said carrier, a toggle lever pivoted in the upper pair ofopenings and having an abutment at its lower end, an abutment on saidcarrier, and a compression spring in-. terposed between said abutmentsto eflect snap movement of said contactor into or out of engagement withsaid contacts upon movement 0 tions respectively.

4. In a toggle snap switch, in combinatlon,

'a recessed insulating base, a pair of spaced parallel contacts-locatedwithin said recess and having their upper edge portions substantiallyflush with the upper surface of sa1d base, a cover plate overlying saidbase and adapted to retain said contacts within sa1d 'recess, a hollowmetallic bushing secured to said cover plate, two vertically spacedpairs of alined openings in said bushing, a sub stantially U-sha' edcarrier the arms of which are provided with integral outward pro ectionsadapted to be forced into the lower pair of openin 's, a disk shapedbridging contactor rotata ly'secured to but insulated from the lower endof said carrier, sa1d securlng means includinga rivet the head of which1s adapted to provide an abutment on sa1d carrier, a manually operabletoggle lever p 1voted in the upper pair ofopenlngs and having anabutment atits lower end, and a coiled compression spring interposedbetween said abutments to provide for snap mbvement of said bridgingcontactor to oppos1te extreme positions upon corresponding movement of5. In a toggle snap switch, in combination, a recessed insulatingbase,,a pa rof spaced :parallel contacts located within said recess andhavin their upper edge portions subfstantially ush with the uppersurface of said 4 base',- a-'cover plate overlying sa1d base and adaptedto retain said contacts Within-said recess, a hollow metallic bushingsecuredto said cover plate, a pair of alined openings in fsaid bushinggasubstantially U shaped carrier the arms of which are provided withintegral-outward projections adapted tobe forced into said openinis, c0'ly a disk shaped bridging contactor rotata secured to but insulatedfrom'the lower end of said carrier,

the securingmeans for'said contactor including a rivet the head of whichis adapted to provide an abutment on said carrier, a manually operabletoggle lever osillat'ably supsaid toggle. lever to opposite posiportedat the upper end of said bushing and having an abutment at its lowerend, a coiled compression springinterposed between said abutments toprovide for snap movement of aid bridging contactor to opposite extreme7 positions upon corresponding movement of said toggle lever, and meansincluding a plurality of nuts having threaded engagement wlth saidbushing for adjust-ably clamping said switch to a suitable support.

5 6. In an electric snap switch adapted for 7 shaft operativelyconnected to said actuator and extending outwardly through said covermember in a the upper sur ace of said base.

7. Inan electric snap switch adapted for panel mounting, in combination,a shallow treme position to the other,-and a rotatable Flanesubstantially parallel to insulating base, resilient stationary contactspositioned edgewise within said b'ase, a'sheet metal cover memberoverlying said base and secured thereto, a contactor oscillatablysupported b said covermember in a relation to provide ibr movement ofthe former into and out of engagement with said contacts, a singleoscillatable actuator, a spring interposed between said actuator andsaid contactor to provide for snap movement of the lati ter from eachextreme position to the other, associated means on said cover member andsaid actuator to limit the oscillatin 'inovements of the latter, and arotatab e"shaft' operativelyconnected to said actuator and extendingoutwardly through said cover member 111 a plane substantially parallelto the upper sur ace of said base.

8. In an electric snap switch, in -combina-,

. tion, a shallow insulating base,-re'silient sta- 'tlonary contactspositioned edgewise within said base, a cover. member-overlying said 4base 'and secured thereto, a-.contac'tor osclllatably'supported b saidcover member in a relation'to provi e for movement of the former intoandout of engagement with said contacts, an'oscillatablefactuator, a'spring,

interpo'sed between said .actuator and said contactor-to provide forsnapv movement of the latter from each extreme position to the other, ahollow bushing secufed to said cover member and projectin outwardly fromthe latter in plane at Ilgit angles to the plane of movement of saidcontactor and said ac-' .tuator, a shaft rotatably supported by saidbushing, an operative connection between said shaft and said actuator,and spaced shoulders on said cover member engageable by said actuator tolimit the movements of the latterand of said shaft.

9. In an'electric snap switch, in combination a recessed insulatingbase, contacts positioned within said recess in spaced substantiallyparallel relation to each other and 0 having their upper edgessubstantially flush with the top surface of said base, an insulatingplate overlying said contacts and having a substantially centralperforation, a bulged cover member formed of sheet metal overlying saidinsulating-plate and secured to said base, a contactor and a one-piecesheet metal carrier therefor pivotally supported by said a cover memberand extending downwardly through said perforation, a single oscillatgoable actuator, a coiled spring interposed between said actuator and saidcarrier, and an operating shaft for said actuator, said shaft extendingoutwardly through said cover member at substantially right angles to the5 plane of movement of said actuator and said carrier.

10. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a recessed moldedinsulating base, contacts positioned within said recess in spacedsubstantially parallel relation to each other and having their upperedges substantially flush with the top surface of said base, aninsulating plate overlying said contacts and having a substantiallycircular opening, a cover member overlying said insulating plate andsecured to said base, said cover member having an integral upwardly,extending dome-shaped projection, a substantially U- shaped carrierextending' downwardly 4o through'said insulating plate, the arms of saidcarrier having integral outward projections adapted to engagecorresponding openings in said dome-shaped projection, a bridgingcontactor rotatably supported at the lower "end of said carrier butinsulated therefrom, an, oscillatable actuator, a hollow bushing securedto said dome-sha ed pro-' jection and extending outwardly t erefrom atsubstantially right angles 'to the plane of movement of said actuator,'arotatable shaft bearing within said bushing, said shaft having atransverse opening to receive said ac- ,1 tuator, a coiled compressionspring inter- .posed between said carrier and said actuss ator andtending to maintain. the latter in assembled relation with said shaft,and a groove in said dome-shaped projection adapted to receive the upperend of said actuator to limit the oscillating movements ofthe 00 latterand to prevent longitudinal movement of said shaft.

11. in an electric snap switch, in combination, a recessed moldedinsulating base,

' contacts positioned within said recess in spaced substantiallyparallel relation to each I, ends being also spaced from the outer walls'other and having their upper edges substantions adapted to engagecorresponding openings in said dome-shaped projection, a bridgingcontactor rotatably supported at the lower end of said carrier butinsulated therefrom, an oscillatable actua' or, a hollow bushing securedto said dome-shapediprojection and extending outwardly therefrom atsubstantiallyright angles to the plane of movement of said actuator, arotatable shaft bearing within said bushing, said shaft having atransverse opening to receive said actuator, a coiled tension springinterposed between said carrier and said actuator and tending tomaintain the latter in assembled relation with said shaft, a groove insaid dome-shaped projection adapted to receive the upper end of saidactuator to limit the oscillatory movements of the latter and to preventoutward movement of said shaft, an external thread 5 and shoulder onsaid bushing, and a nut cooperating with said thread and shoulder toprovide for securement of said switch to a suitable support.

12. In an electric switch, in combination, a molded insulating basehaving a pair of relatively shallow spaced'parallel recesses in itsupper surface and extending longitudinally of the latter, said'base alsohaving a relatively shorter and deeper recess intermediate said firstmentioned recesses and open ing thereinto whereby the latter areseparated fromeach other at their respective ends by shoulderedinsulating abutments, a pair of contact members formed of stripmaterial, each member having one'end thereof reflexed into substantialparallelism with the main body thereof and the other end thereofbeingprovided with an angular bend, said contact members being insertededgewise within their respective recesses with the reflexed ends thereofadjacent to each other but spaced apart by certain of said abutmentsthemain body of said members adjacent to said'reflexed of said firstmentioned recesses for the purpose set forth, a cover member secured tosaid base andadapted to maintain said contact members in a positionsubstantially flush with the upper surface of said base, a bridgingcontactor supported by said cover memberand oscillatable within saidintermediate recess, and toggle'actuating means including a spring foreffecting snap movement 130 of said contactor into and out of engagementwith said contacts.

ary switch contact comprising a metallic strip of substantially equalwidth throughout. its

length, one end of said strip being reflexed to provide a resilientcontact portion substantially parallel to the main body thereof, theother end of said strip having a wire-gripping notch formed therein,said notched end being bent'at an angle to the main body of the strip,and said strip having a Wire-receiving perforation in the main bodythereof adjacent to said notched end. v

14. As an article ofmanufacture, a combined switch contact and terminalmember tially equal width throughout its length, one a comprising asingle strip of metal of substanend of said strip being reflexedinwardly to provide a resilient contact portion substan tially parallelto the main body thereof, the other end of said strip having an angularI inward bend to provide a shoulder, and said last mentioned end alsohaving a perforation vto facilitate attachment and soldering of aterminal wire thereto.

15. As an article of manufacture, a combined switchcontact and terminalmember comprising a single strip of metal of substantially equal widththroughout its length, one end of said strip being'reflexed inwardly toprovide a resilient contact portion substantially parallel to the mainbody thereof, the

other end of said strip having an angular in-' ward bend to provide ashoulder, and said main body of said strip having an outwardly bowed orbent portion intermediate its ends to provide for initially tensioningsaidmember upon insertion thereof within asubstantially rectangularrecess of predetermined size. a

16. As an article ofinanufacture, a com-' bined stationary switchcontact and terminal member comprising a'resilient metallic strip ofsubstantially. equal width throughout :-its

lengthpone end of said strip being reflexed to provide a contact portionarranged in substantial parallelism with the inain body thereof, theother end. of said .strip having a wire-gripping 'fiared notch'thereinj,said strip having a wire-receiving perforation adjacent to' said notchedend, the latter being bent at substantially right angles to the lnainbody of the strip,'and the latter being bowed outwardly intermediate itsends to provide for initially tensioni' 'g said member upon insertionthereof within a recess of predetermined size and shape. a

17. In combination, a housing or casing for switches and the like, ahollow bushing secured to said housing, said bushing comprising anexternally threaded portion and an adjacent polygonal portion havinggreater cross sectional dimensions than said threaded portion whereby aclamping shoulstantially U-shape with the ends of said carrier extendingoutwardly in alinement with each other, three perforated insulatingdisks at-the lower end of said carrier, a circular conducting disklocated between the two outer insulating disks and having an opening toaccommodate the intermediate insulating disk-for centeringthereofbythelatter, and,

a rivet penetrating said lower end of the a carrier and said ilesulatingdisks to holdsaid parts in assembled relation while permitting "relativerotation of said conducting disk with respect to said carrier. I

19. --As' an artlcle of manufacture, a molded insulating base forelectric snap switches;

said base being of substantially rectangular 'contour'and having acurved lower face and a fiat upper face, said upper face having a pairof substantially rectangular recesses arranged in parallel relationlongitudinally of said base, a relatively shorter and deeper recessintermediate said first mentioned recesses and-opening thereto, saidfirst mentioned recesses each having a ledge at one endthereof forsupport of a combined contact and terminal member, arid a pair ofcoincident notches of-diflerent' shapes opening through the wall of thebase tothe re- 'der is provided, the clamping face of said a shoulder(being dished to provide wedge- 13. As an article ofmanufacture, astation-' spective ledges -to adapt the switch to inter 'nal or externalwiring according to the type a of terminals employed 20. In an electricsnap switch, in combina- I tion; an insulating base having a recess inthe upper surface thereof, stationary contacts positioned edgewise inparallel relation within said recess and having integral wir ingterminal portions projecting outwardly through a wall of said base, abulged sheet metal cover member overlying said baseafid secured thereto,a contactor locatedwithin said recess and movable into and out ofengagement with said stationary contacts, an oscillatable actuator forsaid contactor, a

spring interposed between said actuatorand v said contactor to provideforsnapmoveinentc of the latter from each extreme position to the other,a hollow bushing secured to said cove? member and projecting outwardlyfrom the latter in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement ofsaidcontactorand 'sai-dactuator, a shaft rotatably supported =by saidbushing,an operat'ive' connection be tween sa d shaft and sald actuator,and

means. comprising spaced shoulders engageable by said actuator to limitthe movements of the latter and of said shaft.

21. In a toggle snap switch, in combination, an insulating base, a pairof one-piece combined contact and terminal members carried thereby, eachof said members having a reflexed resilient contact portion, a stampedsheet metal cover member having a peripheral portion to seat against theupper face of said base, said cover memberhaving in tegral inbent lugsengaging the lower face of said base to rigidly secure the former to thelatter, an externally threaded hollow metallic bushing rigidlysecured'to said cover member, two vertically spaced pairsof alinedopenings in said bushing, a punched sheet metal member bent flatwise toprovide a substantially U-shape d carrier the arms of which are providedwith integral outward projections adapted to be forced into the lowerpair of openings, a circular bridging contactor secured to but insulatedfrom the lower end of said carrier, the securing means for saidcontactor including a rivet one end ofwhich' is adapted to provide anabutment, a toggle lever pivoted in the upper pair of openings andhaving an abutment atits lower end, and a helical compression springinterposed between said abutments to efl'ect snap movement of saidcontactor into or out of engagement with said contacts upon movement ofsaid toggle lever to opposite positions respectively. b

22. Inan electric snap switch, in combination, an externally threadedhollow metal bushing having two vertically spaced pairs of alined pivotopenings, a punched sheet metal member bent fiatwise to provide asubstantially U-shaped carrier having tapered arms the ends of which arebent outwardly in opposite directions respectively, a bridging contactorsecured to but insulated from the lower end of said carrier, thesecuring means for said contactor including a rivet one end of which isadapted to provide an abutment, the arms of said carrier beingcompressible toward each other to provide for insertion of the bent endsthereof within the lower pair of alined openings, an actuating leverpivoted in the upper pair of alined openings and having an abutment atits lower end, and a helical compression spring interposed between saidabutments to effect snap movements of said contactor to oppo siteextreme positions alternately upon corresponding movements of saidactuating lever.

23'. In an electric snap switch, in combination, an externallythreadedhollow metal bushing having a pair of alined pivot openings, apunched sheet metal member bent flatwise to provide a substantially'U-shaped carrier the arms of which have reduced ends 'adapted toprovide an abutment, the arms of said carrier being compressible towardeach other to provide for insertion of the bent ends thereof within saidpivot openings, an oscillatable actuating lever supported within saidbushing and having an abutment at its lower end, and a helicalcompression spring interposed between .said abutments to effect snapmovements of said contactor upon given movements of said actuatinglever. I

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name. 1

GEORGE J. MEUER.

